TILTING electric trains are to be replaced with fast diesels on North Wales' main line, rail bosses said last night.

New 125mph Virgin Trains services will run almost hourly from Holy-head to London, slicing up to 20 minutes off the timetable.

But it could be at least 15 months - or even three years - before the dedicated fleet, with extra first class seats and a hot food buffet, starts running.

And ageing locos and carriages may be wheeled out again next summer, while faster trains are switched to bolster holiday routes in southern England.

Five services a day are presently run by Virgin on the North Wales coast line. Two of them are electric Pendolino trains pulled by a diesel engine from Crewe.

The proposals would see nine services.

Virgin Trains West Coast managing director Charles Belcher said: "These plans are being put forward to the Department for Transport.

"We propose to create a dedicated fleet of diesel trains to operate the services. This will allow an almost hourly service between North Wales and London and return.

"The use of an electric Pendolino train along the North Wales line dragged by a diesel locomotive makes no sense at all.

"New diesel trains will be obtained. These will be similar to the Voyagers currently in use but will be modified to increase the number of first class seats. A galley will be installed to allow hot food to be prepared."

If the green light is given the new trains would be introduced in December 2008.

But Mr Belcher said: "If our discussions with various bodies are successful, the services could be introduced earlier but not before December 2006."

Before then there will be minor improvements to Virgin Trains services on the North Wales line.

Two trains axed over the summer to shore up holiday routes into Devon and Cornwall will be reinstated, along with the stop at Flint.

Older trains hauled by freight locomotives will also be withdrawn.

Mr Belcher does not expect the situation to occur next summer but could not rule out the possibility.

"The reliability of Pendolinos is improving and will allow us to improve services further. The standby set of coaches used on weekend services in North Wales will be retained, but we hope they will not be needed."

The fare structure will be simplified and an enhanced menu introduced on early morning and evening trains.

Rail watchdogs described the improvement in service as "very good news".

* Engineering work on the West Coast main line over the bank holiday weekend means some Virgin Trains will replaced by coaches.

The work, being carried out between Birmingham and Nuneaton, and Stockport and Stoke on Trent on Saturday and Sunday, does not directly affect North Wales services. But journeys for some passengers changing trains at Crewe or Warrington to Virgin Trains services may be longer than expected.

A reduced service will operate on Monday between Euston and Manchester, which may cause some delay for North Wales passengers.